Animation at Arts Academy

Why Study Animation

From 2D digital animation to stop-motion puppet animation, our high school animation students build a solid foundation in the moving image (timing, staging, and motion). They learn to develop character, story, and cinematic techniques while navigating the complex relationship among intention, concept, and narrative. Here at Interlochen, you'll discover a variety of physical and digital media, as well as classic and emerging technologies. You’ll design convincing characters in imagined, experimental, or nonfiction animations that connect with an intended audience on large and small screens.

What You’ll Learn

As an animation student, you’ll have the opportunity to explore cross-disciplinary coursework in Film & New Media, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Music Production & Engineering, and other disciplines. Animators have the opportunity to work with special guest artists from a variety of animation fields through immersive, hands-on workshops, presentations, and master classes. Recent guests include Julia Pott (Summer Camp Island), Michaela Pavlátová (My Sunny Maad), James Suhr (Gravity Falls, Wander Over Yonder), and Lynn Tomlinson (The Elephant’s Song).
 

As a student at our boarding school for animation, you will:

• Receive one-on-one mentoring under award-winning and internationally recognized animators
• Create animations from original concept through design to the final production
• Design storyboards and sets or backgrounds that incorporate principles of composition, perspective, and color through a variety of 2D, physical, and digital media
• Assemble story elements of character, conflict, and resolution in order to actively engage your audience
• Communicate ideas, emotion, and intent effectively in visual, oral, and written forms
• Generate work that reflects initiative, creativity, flexibility, and a personal voice

Our Curriculum

Our Animation program provides unique opportunities to study in-depth the art and practice of animation. Our core curriculum is centered around:

• An international approach to current animation and the history of the medium.
• The discipline of practice and the application of classic principles of movement.
• Fearless experimentation and exploration in both physical and digital media.
• A cross-disciplinary collaborative approach engaging and supporting the variety of art practices at Interlochen.
• Development of independent voices and leadership practices through the animation production process.

How to Apply

Core Curriculum

Portfolio Requirements

For information on graduation requirements and academic curriculum, please visit Academy Academics.